Monday's Postcard 2015 - California

California is so big....I had to include more postcards!!  It is the most populous state,  home to one out of eight Americans (38 million people), and is the third largest state in area (after Alaska and Texas).  Sacramento is the state capital.  California contains both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous United States (Mount Whitney and Death Valley), and has the 3rd longest coastline of all states (after Alaska and Florida)

Monday's Postcard 2015 - Arkansas

Arkansas is often stereotyped as a "poor, banjo-picking hillbilly" state, a reputation dating back to early accounts of the territory by frontiersmen in the early 1800's.  Arkansas has in reality produced such prominent figures as William Fulbright, Douglas MacArthur, Sam Walton, Johnny Cash and Bill Clinton.

 

I don't have many postcards from Arkansas, maybe Susan Noecker Michel  and Deborah Stevens can help me out with that!!

Books I read in January 2015

This started as a new years resolution several years ago and here we are in 2015 and I will list again all the books I read this January: 

The Cheerleader by Jill McCorkle I loved this book years ago and am revisiting it....still like it.
The Heist by Daniel Silva (library) didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped.
The Minaturist by Jessie Burton (library) I liked this one a lot. Set in Amsterdam
The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg rereading this one, I am a huge Elizabeth Berg fan and just got this one in a little free library exchange, so I enjoyed it again
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult (library) loved this one lots of information about Elephants and Psychics, missing persons
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (library).  OMG loved this book.  Loved it.  If you are a fan of The Stand or I Am Legend or other books about post apocalyptic plague survivors. Run out and get this book!  I am going to buy a copy so I can read it again and again.   Survivors of a plague that wipes out the Earth are intertwined in interesting ways.  It bounces back and forth from post plague and pre-plague.
As You Wish by Cary Elwes (library) a memoir about the filming of the film, Princess Bride.  A must for fans of the movie.  Loved it.  (Photos too)
 Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl (library)I had not read this and it was  recommended to me
On Immunity by Eula Biss (library) very interesting about the history and ramifications of vaccinations
Cod By Mark Kurlansky (library) very interesting look at the Cod and it's role in the exploration of the world and it's part in nourishing the world, I recommend
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (library) Meh, just okay about twins
Bottom Feeder by Taras Grescoe (library) another book about fish! Very interesting
Last Night in Montreal by Emily St. John Mandel (library) I told you I was going to read everything she has written, I enjoyed this one too!
All the Birds Singing by Elvie Wyld (library) British Author, it was okay
The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander (library) I was inspired to read this by some of the happenings on the Downton Abbey TV show with Russian nobility in the 1920's

Monday's Postcard 2015 - Arizona

Arizona is one of the Four Corners states. It has one point in common with New Mexico, Utah, and  the southwestern corner of Colorado.  Arizona is the 48th state and last of the contiguous states to be admitted to the Union, achieving statehood on February 14, 1912.

When USAirways merged with America West, I started going to Phoenix a lot more than ever before! And then Ryan's sister moved to Arizona too! So I have an extensive Arizona Postcard collection now.

Monday's Postcard 2015 - Alaska

This year, I am sharing postcards that I have received or collected from every state in the union.

Alaska is situated in the northwest extremity of North America. Alaska is the largest state by area, but the 4th least populous and the least densely populated of all 50 states. (North Dakota, Wyoming and Vermont have fewer residents!! and Wyoming is the least populated.) Approximately half of Alaska's residents live within the Anchorage metropolitan area.

These are from my collection of Alaska postcards, I get a lot of postcards from Alaska from my friends who take Alaska Cruises every year!! LOL

Monday's Postcard 2015 - Alabama

This year I am posting postcards from every state, starting with some postcards from Alabama that I have received from friends.  Alabama is unofficially nicknamed the Yellowhammer State, after the state bird.   Alabama is also known as the "Heart of Dixie" and the Cotton State. The state tree is the Longleaf Pine and the state flower is the Camellia.  The capital of Alabama is Montgomery. The largest city by population is Birmingham and largest city by total land area is Huntsville. The oldest city is Mobile, founded by the French

Monday's Postcard 2015 - The USA!

This year I thought I would highlight all the postcards that I have collected and received from all over the USA. All 50 states !! I'll start with Washington, DC and proceed alphabetically throughout the rest of the year.

 This first card is from my collection and is a vintage American Airlines postcard. It has a collection of photos of places all around the USA. My Washington DC postcards are vintage 1960's

December Reading

Huge fan of Stephen King and here is a photo of me in front of his house in Bangor Maine!

What I read in December

Going to the Sun by Jean George --she is the author of Julie of the Wolves and one of my favorites, My Side of the Mountain. This story is about a boy and girl in a small town in Montana and their year of living with the mountain goats in Montana's Mission Mountains Range. I enjoyed it
Layer Cake by J. J. Connolly (library) also a film, this is a thriller about London's drug world. Lots of interesting slang, made it kinda of hard to read. Drug slang and British Drug Slang!! LOL
The Body in the Sleigh by Katherine Hall Page --I have read a bunch of her Body in the....books, but I think I missed this one years ago, fun and goes with the holiday season :-)
Among the Janeites by Deborah Yaffe about Jane Austen Fandom. I just saw Lost in Austen again and this was fun too
The Agatha Christie Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah (library) a new Hercule Poirot mystery. It was okay. If you are a huge Christie fan, go for it....otherwise, stick to the real deal
Christmas with Anne by L M Montgomery I have Anne on the brain right now because I am involved with an Anne of Green Gables Art exchange (this is how I explain it to the non-letterboxing postal people! )
Maggie Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane found this book on the airplane and it includes short stories by Stephen Crane
Mystery of the Glowing Eye by Carolyn Keene probably most notable for being the book where Nancy is jealous of Marty King, who works for her father!
Essays of E. B. White by E. B. White (library) I had never read these before. Of course I am a huge fan of his Children's books, and I really enjoyed these. I might have to buy this book to have on my shelf and return to again and again.
Fup by Jim Dodge (library) a fun book about a pet duck, real quick read, a novella really
Vanish by Tess Gerritsen I still have a stack of these Rizzoli and Isles books to read. They are not my favorites, so not always the first thing I pick up
Designated Daughters by Margaret Maron (library) and I love Margaret Maron and just have to read these as fast as possible when they become available
Season to Taste by Natalie Young (library) wife kills, then cooks and eats her husband. Let me tell you, it put me off meat for awhile??!! LOL
Carthage by Joyce Carol Oates (library) a girl is missing and an Iraqi Vet is the suspect.

Monday's Postcard 2014: A Happy Disney New Year!

Happy New Year with some fireworks from Disney World and Disneyland!! Thanks to everyone over the years who has sent me postcards, I love getting them!!

Monday's Postcard 2014: Merry Christmas

These postcards definitely have a Christmas theme to them!

They are both from my Granny

Monday's Postcards 2014: Christmas Lights

I think this postcard of Santa Fe looks so Christmasy with the lights and I love this artist that does these interesting pictures of animals in the desert.

Monday's Postcard 2014: Recipes

I'm not the best cook, but I do enjoy these postcards with recipes on them!! I might even try to make this stuff one day. :-)

Christmas Decorating

Well, in my family, the holiday decorations weren't just about putting up lights and adding a tree to the living room. My granny and my mom were famous for replacing everything in the house with a holiday equivalent.   So here are some of my photos of stuff around the house.

Dish Towels, Remove the Lobster and Replace with Santa

Soap Dish, replace Fish with Santa

Replace Raven in Foyer with Wooden Santa I bought in Thailand

Book Potholder replaced with Santa and Snowman

Pillows on the Sofa

Candles on the Mantelpiece

Photos on the wall replaced with Cross-Stitch Snowman

More artwork replaced with Christmas themed art

Another piece of art in the hallway, replaced by embellished Christmas Tree art

My plain black work socks replaced with Christmas socks

Even my pot scrubbers in the sink get a Christmas up grade!

And I have holiday sheets, dishes, glassware, vases for flowers, place-mats and napkins in addition to the wreaths, garlands, lights and trees that I put up around the house. I don't have to replace all the pictures and artwork on my walls, but I love my holiday decorations and it reminds me of my mom and Granny. They enjoyed Christmas and decorating for the holidays so much. It keeps their memories close in my house during the season. The newest ornaments on my tree:

From the Burke Museum here in Seattle

Felted Heart from Montana

I love these, you just put them on top of the lights, I have three of them and I wish I had bought more

Monday's Postcard 2014: Postcards from Mom

Today is my Mom's birthday and here are two cards I received from her while she was traveling around the USA

November Reading

Photo of me on Hemingway's grave in Idaho. Not my all time favorite author, but I am a fan.

We are Called to Rise by Laura McBride (library) the lives of several folks from Las Vegas intersect in interesting ways
Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen Another Rizzoli and Isles mystery
The Backbone of the World by Frank Clifford about the continental divide not specifically about the trail, but about the whole area and the building of the trail
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd (library) an Oprah book and many of you have already read The Secret Life of Bees by this author I liked this one a lot about slavery and emancipation
Jack Reacher's Rules by Lee Child (library) just a little book of lists really, but entertaining if you like these books by Lee Child
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (library) So everyone is reading this and saying how fabulous it is...I did not think I was going to like it, it is extremely stark and depressing. Lots of drug use and depression, but some of her descriptions are awesome. So it wasn't totally fabulous, but I did like it
The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams (library) very enjoyable and fun especially after the heavy reading of the Invention of Wings and The Goldfinch.
Let's Pretend this Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (library)funny memoir about a girl from rural Texas ...laughed out loud a couple of times with this one .. Nice after some heavier reading earlier this month!
Once Upon a Time, There was You by Elizabeth Berg (library) I think this is my second time reading this one....but it is good nevertheless
Someone Could Get Hurt by Drew Magary (library) very funny I laughed out loud a couple of times with this one too!  It's about having a baby and raising toddlers from a fathers perspective
The Train by Georges Simenon (library) WWII, it was okay. Refugees on a train, espionage, it's not sophie's choice
Struck by Genius by Jason Padgett (library)True story of a man who was assaulted and after the head injury it changed his personality and his perception of the world I liked it
The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson I thought I had read all his stuff, but this one slipped under the radar. Loved it
Shopping, Seduction, Mr. Selfridge by Lindy Woodhead I loved the PBS series and I enjoyed the book too (with photos of the actual store and people mentioned in the book)
The Stench of Honolulu by Jack Handey (library)
Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg. (Library) I enjoy her books this was not my all time favorite of hers, but it was nice
The Mystery of the Fiery Eye by Robert Arthur (three investigators mystery)
The Mystery of the Blinking Eye by  Kathryn Kenny (Trixie Belden mystery)

Monday's Postcards 2014: Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so blessed to have great friends from all over the country who send me postcards. I am truly thankful for all of you!!

Monday's Postcards 2014: Fall Color

These cards are full of gorgeous Fall Color! I feel thankful every day for my friends who send me postcards!

Monday's Postcards 2014: Twin Towers

In the Newark Postcard, you can see the twin towers in the distance....and of course the top postcard was made after 9/11. Friends sent me these cards after their visits to NYC.

Monday's Postcards 2014: Misplaced Postcards

I just found these postcards tucked into a book on my bookshelves. I usually put some postcards up for display on my bookshelves and when I rotate them out with new postcards, I put them in a shoe box size box that I have especially to store my postcard collection. But these got side tracked and have been hidden away on my bookshelf for a while. I received them in 2011 and 2012